Artist Statement:

Currently, my work involves using obsolete consumer devices as source material for digital photographic images and installations.

Early in the 1950’s, American car manufacturers introduced the yearly model change to increase sales. By introducing newer models with various trivial improvements like leather seats or a better radio, the manufacturers made the older cars obsolete in the eyes of the consumer, even though it may have still served their needs perfectly well. This effect is so deeply rooted into the consumer attitude that until recently, all that was needed to make British car buyers purchase every year was the annual prefix change on the number plate. The law governing the registration of new cars has since changed to lessen the destabilising effect this attitude has on the economy. The fact is this process of unnecessary wastefulness occurs with any device you may find in your home, whether it is a camera, a computer, or a car. Personally I find this phenomenon quite peculiar, if not amusing. I feel that it is a graphic illustration of how easily we are manipulated by manufacturers and the media without even noticing it. Some people might even call it progress.

By taking a second more detailed look at the objects we discard, my intention is to highlight just how extravagant we are.

How I Work

I feel that it is important to make sure the processes I employ in my work are repeatable by anyone using basic equipment, and that any specialist equipment can be fabricated from stock materials using simple tools. I would feel immensely hypocritical if I used extravagant materials and processes to illustrate how we discard copious amounts of useful possessions.

Although the materials used are basic, it does not mean that the work itself must be. My aim is to create an expansive extravaganza based on the unwanted subject matter, whilst remaining as frugal as possible.



Gary Wolstenholme

http://inventory.topcities.com